Speakers
Session details
Planning in 2026 – What it means for Construction
The planning system is changing but what will this mean for your projects?
Join us for this open panel discussion looking at how planning could affect construction in 2026 and the years ahead.
Topics will include
What is changing in planning
Why projects are being delayed
What this means for costs and delivery
What businesses should be doing now
Shoreham Port and partners - resilience and decarbonisation
in the construction supply chain
Ports, distributors, and material suppliers are central to the construction supply chain, but their challenges from disruption to decarbonisation often go unseen.
Join Shoreham Port, Covers Timber & Builders Merchants and CEMEX as they share how they are tackling market pressures, accelerating low-carbon goals, and reshaping material movement across the South East. You will walk away with practical takeaways you can act on.
Key areas
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How materials move in the South East a fast look at the flow of construction materials and how global and local pressures are changing it
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Thriving in a shifting market how suppliers are managing rising costs, volatile markets, and evolving customer needs
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Decarbonisation in action real examples of ports and merchants cutting emissions and putting net-zero plans into practice today
How to win more tenders for better projects
Join us for a practical session on how to find projects others miss — and actually win them. You will learn how to spot off-market opportunities and go after work even if you don’t have perfect case studies ready.
We will also cover how to break into new markets, stand out from the competition and avoid the race to the bottom on price.
Clear, useful and focused on what really works.
Innovation in construction – what’s next?
The construction industry is changing fast — new tools, smarter ways of working and sustainable building practices are shaping how projects are delivered.
But what does this mean for your business and the projects you work on?
Join this discussion-based session to hear from leaders who are turning new ideas into real results.
Topics
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How new technology is changing the way buildings are designed and built
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Ways to work smarter and more efficiently on projects
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How sustainability can be built into your work without extra hassle
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Practical ideas you can use in your own business
Whether you are managing projects, running a company, or curious about the future of construction, this session will give you useful, real-world ideas.
Warm homes – social housing fund wave 3 - what we have learnt
Fund Wave 3 is a major UK programme helping to improve the energy efficiency of social housing across England. It focuses on homes that are currently below EPC B and C.
With £1.29 billion allocated for 2025–2028, the fund supports local authorities and housing providers to install measures such as insulation, improved windows and doors and low-carbon heating systems.
The goal is to create warmer, healthier and more affordable homes, while also reducing carbon emissions and supporting growth in the retrofit sector.
This session will explore what we have learned so far from Wave 3, the challenges organisations are facing, and how the programme is shaping the future of retrofit delivery.
Together they will discuss what is working, what could be improved and how the sector can make the most of this significant investment.
Circular construction - the new rules for winning contracts
The UK Government’s Circular Economy Growth Plan will change how construction projects are designed, built and procured.
Businesses will need to show how they reduce waste, reuse materials and build more sustainably to stay competitive.
Topics covered
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What the Circular Economy Growth Plan means for construction
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How it will affect tenders and contract requirements
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What main contractors and clients will expect from suppliers
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How SMEs can prepare now and stay competitive
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Opportunities in reuse, retrofit, and sustainable materials
This panel will give attendees actionable ideas to prepare for the future, win work, and deliver more sustainable, efficient projects.
Where the opportunities are in construction
Kelly O'Haire in conversation with Kevin Byrne and Allan Wilen
Where is the work coming from? Which sectors are growing? And how can you make sure your business wins its share?
Join this open discussion with two people who understand construction from very different angles market data and real business experience.
We’ll be discussing
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Where construction demand is growing
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Which sectors offer the most opportunity
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What customers look for when choosing contractors
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How to stand out from your competitors
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How to keep your pipeline strong
If you’re a contractor, consultant, supplier or developer looking ahead this session will give you practical ideas you can use.
The role of AI in construction – what it means for your business
AI is being talked about everywhere but what does it actually mean for construction?
And how could it help you save time, reduce risk and work more efficiently?
Join this session to hear how AI is already being used across the industry and what is likely to come next.
This will be focused on real examples not technical language.
We will be discussing
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What AI actually is in simple terms
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How it is already being used in construction
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How it could save time and money
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What it might mean for jobs and skills
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The capability gap facing the industry and the culture change needed to become genuinely future-ready
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What you should be paying attention to now
Whether you are curious, cautious, or already exploring AI, this session will help you understand what it means in practice.
Building skills for the future of Construction
Construction needs more skilled people and this session looks at how we can work together to close the skills gap.
Join this open panel discussion on what businesses, training providers and the industry can do to support the next generation and strengthen the workforce.
Topics
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The current skills challenges in construction
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What skills are needed for the future
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How employers can support training and apprenticeships
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Opportunities for young people entering the industry
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Improving construction training
Resolving disputes in construction – practical steps for teams on site
Disputes can happen on any construction project. This session will look at simple and practical ways to deal with issues early, improve communication on site and prevent small problems from becoming bigger disputes.
Learn useful steps that project teams, contractors and consultants can take to keep projects moving and maintain good working relationships.
Winning work on LinkedIn - how construction businesses generate leads
A practical session focused on how construction companies can actually use LinkedIn not just look good.
Covering content ideas (projects, before/after, site updates) how to connect with the right people (developers, architects, main contractors), and simple strategies to turn visibility into enquiries and real business opportunities. Includes case studies.
Zoe Cairns is an international speaker who works with businesses in the UK and around the world. Zoe shares clear easy-to-follow ideas that you can put into action straight away to help you win more work through LinkedIn.
Gatwick Airport
More details to be announced
